System, method, and kit for monitoring an individual remotely

ABSTRACT

In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for remotely monitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in a monitoring object at a first location where the monitoring object may be configured as a household item. The sensor may be associated with an environment of an individual at the first location and a network. The sensor data may be processed to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual in the environment and the monitoring information may be transmitted over the network from the first location to a receiving object at a second location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following provisionalapplications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/905,530, filed Mar. 6,2007; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/982,098, filed Oct. 23,2007.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The methods and systems described herein relate to motion-sensitive,networked devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Individuals living by themselves, especially senior citizens, are atrisk of being injured without a way to contact help. Motion-triggeredand networked devices may detect an absence of activity and notify aremote location.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods and systems for monitoring an individual ata remote location. A method and system of monitoring an individual at aremote location may comprise providing at least one of a monitoringdevice in the form factor of a household decoration, such as a pictureframe. The method and system of monitoring may further comprise at leastone of a receiving device in the form factor of a household decoration,such as a picture frame. The method and system of monitoring a remoteindividual may also comprise a wireless network, such as a one-waypaging network for communicating between the monitoring and receivingdevices. The form factor for the monitoring devices and the receivingdevices may comprise any household object, including, but not limited toa lamp, a picture frame, a mat, a home appliance, or any other householdobject.

In an aspect of the invention, a system and method of monitoring anindividual at a location may comprise providing a sensor integrated in amonitoring object at a first location, the monitoring object configuredas a household item, associating the sensor with an environment of anindividual at the first location, associating the sensor with a network,providing monitoring information at a second location, and transmittingthe monitoring information from the first location to the secondlocation over the network. In the system and method, the sensor may be aplurality of sensors. In the system and method, the sensor may be atleast one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperaturesensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, a vibration sensor, and someother sensor. In the system and method, the object may be at least oneof a picture frame, a floor mat, a lamp, a household appliance, and someother object. In the system and method, the first location may be ahome. In the system and method, the first location may be an apartment.In the system and method, the first location may be a medical facility.In the system and method, the network may be an intranet. In the systemand method, the network may be an internet. In the system and method,the network may be a telecommunications network. In the system andmethod, the monitoring information may comprise information regardingthe cessation of movement. In the system and method, transmitting maycomprise one-way paging.

In an aspect of the invention, a system of monitoring an individual at alocation may comprise a sensor integrated in a first object formonitoring an individual at a first location, a transmitter associatedwith the sensor for transmitting a monitoring information, a receiverintegrated in a second object for receiving the monitoring informationat a second location, an indicator associated with the receiver forindicating a status in response to the monitoring information, and anetwork for transmitting the monitoring information from the transmitterto the receiver. In the system, the sensor may be a plurality ofsensors. In the system, the sensor may be at least one of amotion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperature sensor, athermostat, an audio sensor, a vibration sensor, and some other sensor.In the system, the first object may be at least one of a picture frame,a floor mat, a lamp, a household appliance, and some other object. Inthe system, the second object may be at least one of a picture frame, ahousehold appliance, and some other object. In the system, the firstlocation may be at least one of a home, an apartment, a medicalfacility, and some other location. In the system, the second locationmay be at least one of a home, an apartment, a medical facility, andsome other location. In the system, the network may be an intranet. Inthe system, the network may be an internet. In the system, the networkmay be a telecommunications network. In the system, the monitoringinformation may comprise information regarding the cessation ofmovement. In the system, transmitting may comprise one-way paging.

In an aspect of the invention, a system and method of remotelymonitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in amonitoring object at a first location, the monitoring object configuredas a household item, associating the sensor with the environment of anindividual at the first location, associating the sensor with a network,processing sensor data to obtain monitoring information for the activityof the individual in the environment, and transmitting the monitoringinformation over the network from the first location to a receivingobject at a second location. In the system and method, the sensor may beone of a plurality of sensors. In the system and method, the sensor maybe at least one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, atemperature sensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibrationsensor. In the system and method, the object may be at least one of apicture frame, a floor mat, a lamp, and a household appliance. In thesystem and method, the network may be a telecommunications network. Inthe system and method, the network may be a wireless network. In thesystem and method, transmitting may include one-way paging. In thesystem and method, the monitoring information may include informationregarding the cessation of activity. In the system and method,processing may include determining if sensor inputs were obtained withina predetermined time interval. In the system and method, processing mayinclude comparing sensor inputs against a map relating timing of eventswith either a clock or a calendar expectation. The system and method mayfurther include programming the monitoring object with a standard map ofactivities to facilitate processing. The system and method may furtherinclude calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambientsignals in the monitored individual's environment to establish acomparison map to facilitate processing. The system and method mayfurther include setting an amount of time within which the sensor mustsense an activity. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to display a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to emit a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation. In the system and method, the receiving object may beconfigured as a household object.

In an aspect of the invention, a kit for remotely monitoring anindividual may include a household object for placement in theenvironment of an individual to be monitored which may include anintegrated sensor for collecting activity data for an individual,internal logic for processing the activity information according to amap of expected activity to obtain monitoring information and atransmission facility for transmitting the monitoring information over apager network, a receiving object for receiving the monitoringinformation which may include an antenna for receiving the transmittedmonitoring information and a display for displaying the status of theindividual as indicated by the monitoring information, and a service forenabling the transmission of the monitoring information from thehousehold monitoring object to the receiving object. In the kit, thesensor may be a plurality of sensors. In the kit, the sensor may be atleast one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperaturesensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibration sensor. In thekit, the household object may be at least one of a picture frame, afloor mat, a lamp, and a household appliance. In the kit, transmittingmay include one-way paging. In the kit, the monitoring information mayinclude information regarding the cessation of activity. In the kit,processing may include determining if sensor inputs were obtained withina predetermined time interval. In the kit, processing may includecomparing sensor inputs against a map relating timing of events witheither a clock or a calendar expectation. The kit may further include aprogramming interface of the household monitoring object to program themonitoring object with a standard map of activities to facilitateprocessing. The kit may further include a calibration interface of thehousehold monitoring object to obtain a sample of ambient signals in themonitored individual's environment for establishing a comparison map tofacilitate processing. The kit may further include a switch associatedwith the sensor for setting an amount of time within which the sensormust sense an activity. In the kit, the receiving object may be adaptedto display a signal based on the transmitted monitoring information. Inthe kit, the receiving object may be adapted to emit a signal based onthe transmitted monitoring information. In the kit, the monitoringobject and receiving object may automatically establish a connectiononce powered.

In an aspect of the invention, a system and method of remotelymonitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in amonitoring object at a first location, the monitoring object configuredas a household item, associating the sensor with an environment of anindividual at the first location, associating the sensor with a network,processing sensor data to obtain monitoring information for the activityof the individual in the environment, and transmitting the monitoringinformation over the network from the first location to a receivingobject at a second location, the receiving object configured as ahousehold item. In the system and method, the sensor may be one of aplurality of sensors. In the system and method, the sensor may be atleast one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperaturesensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibration sensor. In thesystem and method, the receiving object may be a picture frame. Thepicture frame may hold a picture of the individual being monitored. Inthe system and method, the monitoring object may be a picture frame. Inthe system and method, the network may be a telecommunications network.In the system and method, the network may be a wireless network. In thesystem and method, transmitting may include one-way paging. In thesystem and method, the monitoring information may include informationregarding the cessation of activity. In the system and method,processing may include determining if sensor inputs were obtained withina predetermined time interval. In the system and method, processing mayinclude comparing sensor inputs against a map relating timing of eventswith either a clock or a calendar expectation. The system and method mayfurther include programming the monitoring object with a standard map ofactivities to facilitate processing. The system and method may furtherinclude calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambientsignals in the monitored individual's environment to establish acomparison map to facilitate processing. The system and method mayfurther include setting an amount of time within which the sensor mustsense an activity. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to display a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to emit a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation.

In an aspect of the invention, a system and method of remotelymonitoring a plurality of individuals may include providing a pluralityof monitoring objects, wherein each monitoring object is associated withthe environment of one of the plurality of individuals, integrating asensor into each monitoring object, wherein the sensor collects activitydata for the individual associated with the monitoring object,processing sensor data at each monitoring object to obtain monitoringinformation for the activity of the individual associated with themonitoring object, and transmitting the monitoring information obtainedwith each monitoring object over a network to a receiving object,wherein the receiving object displays a picture associated with theparticular individual being monitored at the time that it displaysinformation about that individual. In the system and method, the sensormay be one of a plurality of sensors. In the system and method, thesensor may be at least one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motionsensor, a temperature sensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and avibration sensor. In the system and method, the monitoring object may beconfigured as a household item. In the system and method, the networkmay be a telecommunications network. In the system and method, thenetwork may be a wireless network. In the system and method,transmitting may include one-way paging. In the system and method, themonitoring information may include information regarding the cessationof activity. In the system and method, processing may includedetermining if sensor inputs were obtained within a predetermined timeinterval. In the system and method, processing may include comparingsensor inputs against a map relating timing of events with either aclock or a calendar expectation. The system and method may furtherinclude programming the monitoring object with a standard map ofactivities to facilitate processing. The system and method may furtherinclude calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambientsignals in the monitored individual's environment to establish acomparison map to facilitate processing. The system and method mayfurther include setting an amount of time within which the sensor mustsense an activity. In the method and system, the receiving object may beadapted to display a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation. In the method and system, the receiving object may beadapted to emit a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation.

In an aspect of the invention, a system and method of remotelymonitoring an individual may include providing a sensor integrated in amonitoring object at a first location, the monitoring object configuredas a picture frame, associating the sensor with an environment of anindividual at the first location, associating the sensor with a network,processing sensor data to obtain monitoring information for the activityof the individual in the environment, and transmitting the monitoringinformation over the network from the first location to a receivingobject at a second location, the receiving object configured as apicture frame. In the system and method, the sensor may be one of aplurality of sensors. In the system and method, the sensor may be atleast one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperaturesensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibration sensor. In thesystem and method, the picture frame may hold a picture of theindividual being monitored. In the system and method, the picture framemay hold a picture of the monitoring party. In the system and method,the network may be a telecommunications network. In the system andmethod, the network may be a wireless network. In the system and method,transmitting may include one-way paging. In the system and method, themonitoring information may include information regarding the cessationof activity. In the system and method, processing may includedetermining if sensor inputs were obtained within a predetermined timeinterval. In the system and method, processing may include comparingsensor inputs against a map relating timing of events with either aclock or a calendar expectation. The system and method may furtherinclude programming the monitoring object with a standard map ofactivities to facilitate processing. The system and method may furtherinclude calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambientsignals in the monitored individual's environment to establish acomparison map to facilitate processing. The system and method mayfurther include setting an amount of time within which the sensor mustsense an activity. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to display a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation. In the system and method, the receiving object may beadapted to emit a signal based on the transmitted monitoringinformation.

In an aspect of the invention, a kit for remotely monitoring anindividual may include a picture frame for placement in the environmentof an individual to be monitored which may include an integrated sensorfor collecting activity data for an individual, internal logic forprocessing the activity information according to a map of expectedactivity to obtain monitoring information and a transmission facilityfor transmitting the monitoring information over a pager network, areceiving object for receiving the monitoring information which mayinclude an antenna for receiving the transmitted monitoring informationand a display for displaying the status of the individual as indicatedby the monitoring information, and a service for enabling thetransmission of the monitoring information from the household monitoringobject to the receiving object. In the kit, the sensor may be aplurality of sensors. In the kit, the sensor may be at least one of amotion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperature sensor, athermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibration sensor. In the kit, thereceiving object may be at least one of a picture frame, a floor mat, alamp, and a household appliance. In the kit, transmitting may includeone-way paging. In the kit, the monitoring information may includeinformation regarding the cessation of activity. In the kit, processingmay include determining if sensor inputs were obtained within apredetermined time interval. In the kit, processing may includecomparing sensor inputs against a map relating timing of events witheither a clock or a calendar expectation. The kit may further include aprogramming interface of the household monitoring object to program themonitoring object with a standard map of activities to facilitateprocessing. The kit may further include a calibration interface of thehousehold monitoring object to obtain a sample of ambient signals in themonitored individual's environment for establishing a comparison map tofacilitate processing. The kit may further include a switch associatedwith the sensor for setting an amount of time within which the sensormust sense an activity. In the kit, the receiving object may be adaptedto display a signal based on the transmitted monitoring information. Inthe kit, the receiving object may be adapted to emit a signal based onthe transmitted monitoring information. In the kit, the picture frameand receiving object may automatically establish a connection oncepowered.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 depicts a sensing device of the household monitoring system insensing mode;

FIG. 2 depicts a transmitting device of the household monitoring systemin transmitting mode;

FIG. 3 depicts a receiving device of the household monitoring system inalert mode;

FIG. 4 depicts a remote monitoring communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A wireless home monitoring system for monitoring the activity of anindividual may comprise a monitoring device, a network and a receivingdevice. The monitoring device may comprise a sensor in a form factorwhere the form factor may be a common household decoration, such as apicture frame. The receiving device may comprise a visual and/or audiostatus indicator in a form factor where the form factor may also be acommon household decoration, such as a picture frame. The network maycomprise a one-way paging network, a two-way paging network, a cellularnetwork, a wireless network, the Internet, and the like. The wirelesshousehold monitoring system may be simple to install out of the box andmay enable the communication of two or more households at a relativelypassive level. This system may provide a non-intrusive and relativelypassive reassurance to remote family members, or other individuals whoare monitoring, that the individual being monitored, for example, asenior member of their family living alone, is carrying on life asnormal. Should there be an interruption of the individual's normalroutine within their home, this system may notify the other connectedfamily members or monitoring individuals of that change. This inventionmay utilize network technology, such as one-way pager technology, tolink the remote elements of the system and simple sensors and I/O todetect and communicate.

Referring to FIG. 1, a network of monitoring devices may enablemonitoring of an individual's movements and status from a remotelocation. In use, the monitored individual 104 may have the monitoringdevice 102 with associated sensor 108 present in their area of activity.When the presence or activity of monitored individual activates thesensor 108, the monitoring device 102 may accumulate data regarding themonitored individual.

In one embodiment, the physical form of the monitoring component 102 ofthe system may be configured to be a picture frame that may hold apicture of the family members or friends that are connected by thisservice. In other embodiments, the form factor may be some othernon-obtrusive household item. For example, in one embodiment, the formfactor of a monitoring device may be a mat. In another embodiment, theform factor of a monitoring device may be a faucet. In a furtherembodiment, the form factor of a monitoring device may be a lamp.

In an embodiment, the form factor may comprise electronics that monitorthe activities of an individual 104 at a first location. In someembodiments, the form factor monitoring comprises using sensors 108,such as motion sensors, infrared sensors, audio pickups or vibrationsensors, and the like in association with the monitoring device 102. Insome further embodiments, the monitoring may include using other sensorsthat can detect a signature of normal personal activities around thelocation.

In an embodiment, the monitoring device 102 may comprise an antenna forsending communications to a receiving device. The antenna may be aninternal antenna or an external antenna.

Referring to FIG. 2, the monitoring component may enable monitoring byprocessing detected activity signatures. In one embodiment, themonitoring component 202 may compare the detected activity signaturesagainst a time measure provided by a real-time clock that may beincorporated in the electronics. In another embodiment, the monitoringcomponent may compare the activity signature against a map of standardactivities. In some embodiments, the map of standard activities may berecorded in the device's programming mode. For example, in order tocalibrate the device 102 to prepare the map of standard activities, thedevice 102 may be used to record the monitored individual's 104 dailyactivities using the sensors 108 in the device 102 to collect theinformation, such as a level of activity or inactivity, a time of daywhen active, and the like. In other embodiments, the map of standardactivities may be compiled and loaded into the device at the time ofinstallation. In certain embodiments, every time the sensors 108 detectactivity or inactivity, a signal may be sent to a receiving device toalert a monitor of the activity or inactivity.

In an embodiment, the device's internal logic may determine if thedetected activity signature is within or outside of a control range. Insome embodiments, if the device detects a deviation, the device maytransmit a signal 204 to a receiving device. For example, a map ofstandard activities may indicate that the monitored individual should bedetected at least once during a pre-determined time interval, and ifthere is no detection during the interval, a signal may be sent to areceiving device. In one embodiment, the device may transmit a signal204 via pager electronics. In some embodiments, using the pagerelectronics may include using an internal, integrated but concealedantenna 208 to communicate to the local pager network. In some otherembodiments, using the pager electronics may include using an externalantenna.

In an embodiment, the monitoring component may enable monitoring bysimply transmitting each detection event. For example, each time themonitored individual is detected, the device 102 may send a signal tothe receiving device.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the receiving component of the system locatedat the monitoring location may be configured to look like a householddecoration.

In one embodiment, the receiving component may be configured as apicture frame 302. In some embodiments the picture frame 302 may hold apicture of the individual monitored by this service. In otherembodiments, the receiving component may utilize a different form factorsuch as some other familiar, decorative, useful or non-obtrusivehousehold item.

In an embodiment, the receiver may comprise electronics that may receivea targeted communication 304 from a monitoring device 102. In someembodiments, the targeted communication 304 may be transmitted by apager network, the Internet, a Bluetooth or other wireless connection, acellular network, and the like. In other embodiments, the receiver mayanalyze the targeted communication and create an output in response tothe targeted communication. For example, in the absence of a signal fromthe monitoring device 102 of a deviant activity or inactivity, thereceiver may have an output to signify a normal “all-is-well” mode. Forexample, in response to the “all-is-well” mode, the receiver may displaya discrete green light 308 that may easily be perceived by a monitoringindividual. In another example, the output may be the absence of alight. In other embodiments, in response to a deviation in the activitysignature, the monitoring component 102 may signal to the receivingcomponent a change in the output of the light display. For example, thelight display may change to yellow or red or may increase in intensity.The change may depend upon the type and magnitude of the deviation. Inother embodiments, the receiver may include a speaker, which may besmall and/or invisible, and which may emit an audio signal if adeviation is detected. In some other embodiments, the speaker may emitan audio signal if the distress signal received is urgent. In otherembodiments, the receiver may enable an individual monitoring thereceiver to respond to the change of status indication such as bycalling the monitored individual or by calling another individual oragency to investigate the signal.

Now referring to FIG. 4, the household monitoring system may comprise 1)the monitor; 2) the receiver, and 3) a service arrangement for thecommunication transmission network linking the monitor and the receiver.In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of monitors. In otherembodiments, there may be a plurality of receivers.

In one embodiment, the monitor may be configured to be a picture frame402, such as a frame that can hold a picture of the individual orindividuals that are connected by the service. In another embodiment, adetector 404 may detect the signature of normal personal activitiesaround the home of a monitored individual. The detector 404 may be amotion detector, an infrared detector, and the like. In otherembodiments, the detector 404 may be another activity detector such asan audio pickup, a vibration sensor, or other suitable sensor. In someembodiments, a logic element with internal memory 408 may integrate asensor input and measure the input against an internal clock/calendar410 to determine if the situation is normal or anomalous. In some otherembodiments, the measure of normalcy may be as simple as a determinationthat sensor/detector inputs were obtained within a predetermined timeinterval or may be as complex as a comparison of incoming inputs againsta more complex map relating timing of events with either a clock or acalendar expectation. Programming the monitoring device 102 may beenabled by toggles or switches on the device itself that indicate timeintervals for monitoring. In other embodiments, the device 102 may havean input connector in order to receive programming. In otherembodiments, in response to a determination that the inputs represent adeviation from normal by the logic element, the logic element may powera communications system, such as a wireless pager module 412, and directthe communications system to send a signal on a network to the locationor locations, such as a pager address or a plurality of pager addresses,that have been pre-loaded into the logic unit's memory. In someembodiments, an embedded antenna 414 may transmit the pager signal 418to the local tower 420 and via the network to the receiving unit.

In another aspect of the invention, the receiving unit 422 may be,similar to the monitoring unit, configured to be a picture frame thatcan hold a picture of the family members or friends that are connectedby this service. In other embodiments, the form factor may be some otherfamiliar, decorative, useful and non-obtrusive household item. In someembodiments, the receiving unit may be a remote annunciator for themonitor. In some other embodiments, the receiving unit may display anilluminated indicator 424 of the status at the monitored location. Thelight color may indicate the status of the monitored individual. In someembodiments the light colored green may indicate a normal status. Inother embodiments, the light colored yellow may indicate caution, suchas for example, if the last time interval or control point is missing.In further embodiments, the light colored red may indicates a warning,such as there is a severe deviation from the normal status. In someembodiments, the light indicator may be supplemented by an audiofeedback device. In other embodiments, the light indicator may besupplemented by other means of feedback. In further embodiments, inresponse to receiving an incoming signal 430 with the embedded antenna432, an always-on pager network receiver 428 may pass the incominginformation to the logic unit 434 that may change the status display andmay initiate other warning output.

In one embodiment, the monitor and receiver units may be wireless,cordless devices powered by an electrical power cord or onboardbatteries 438, 440 that supply the power needs of all electronicelements including the logic, memory, clock and pager components. In anembodiment, the batteries may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. Insome embodiments, both modules can be corded to plug into householdpower. In further embodiments, a user control may be provided on boththe monitor and the receiver. In some other embodiments, the monitor andthe receiver may have a toggling power switch. In other embodiments, themonitor may have an external panel 442 comprising the power switch and aconnector for recharging. In one embodiment, the monitor may have aswitch that is set to the amount of time within which the motiondetector must sense motion or the monitor will send a warning signal tothe receiver. In another embodiment, the monitor may have a “Learn” modeto record a sample of ambient signals in the environment to establish aNORMAL comparison map for more sophisticated monitoring. In otherembodiments, there may be an input connector from which a predeterminedcomparison table may be loaded. In some other embodiments, the receivermay have an external panel 444 comprising the power switch and aconnector for recharging. In some embodiments, both the monitor and thereceiver may comprise modules that have a battery door to change thebattery.

In an embodiment, the components of the system may be obtained togetheras an out-of-the-box kit. For example, the kit may include a householdobject, such as a picture frame, for placement in the vicinity of anindividual to be monitored. The picture frame may include an integratedsensor for collecting activity data for an individual, internal logicfor processing the activity information according to a map of expectedactivity to obtain monitoring information and a transmission facilityfor transmitting the monitoring information over a network. Alsoincluded in the kit may be a receiving object for receiving themonitoring information. The receiving object may include an antenna forreceiving the transmitted monitoring information and a display fordisplaying the status of the individual as indicated by the monitoringinformation, such as light. The kit may also comprise a service forenabling the transmission of the monitoring information from thehousehold monitoring object to the receiving object. The service may beprovided by a wireless provider, pager network operator, Internetprovider, and the like. The components of the kit may come pre-matchedso that the monitoring object and receiving object may be able toestablish a connection automatically once powered.

1. A method of remotely monitoring an individual, comprising:integrating a sensor in a monitoring object at a first location, themonitoring object configured as a household item; associating the sensorwith an environment of an individual at the first location; associatingthe sensor with a network; establishing a map of standard activities ofthe individual, wherein the monitoring object records a sample of atleast one activity of the individual to establish the map of standardactivities; processing sensor data using the map of standard activitiesto obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual inthe environment; and transmitting the monitoring information over thenetwork from the first location to a receiving object at a secondlocation, wherein the receiving object displays an indication ofactivity of the individual based on the monitoring activity.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of apicture frame, a floor mat, a lamp, and a household appliance.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein transmitting comprises one-way paging.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the monitoring information comprisesinformation regarding the cessation of activity.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein processing comprises determining if sensor inputs wereobtained within a predetermined time interval.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein processing comprises comparing sensor inputs against the map ofstandard activities relating timing of events with either a clock or acalendar expectation.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising,programming the monitoring object with the map of standard activities tofacilitate processing.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising,calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambient signals inthe monitored individual's environment to establish the map of standardactivities to facilitate processing.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising setting an amount of time within which the sensor must sensean activity.
 11. A kit for remotely monitoring the environment of anindividual, comprising: a household object for placement in theenvironment of an individual to be monitored, comprising: an integratedsensor for collecting activity data for an individual in theenvironment; internal logic for processing the activity data accordingto a map of standard activity to obtain monitoring information, whereinthe integrated sensor records a sample of at least one activity of theindividual to establish the map of standard activity; and a transmissionfacility for transmitting the monitoring information over a pagernetwork; a receiving object for receiving the monitoring information,comprising: an antenna for receiving the transmitted monitoringinformation; and a display for displaying the status of the individualas indicated by the monitoring information, wherein the display displaysan indication of activity of the individual based on the monitoringinformation; and a service for enabling the transmission of themonitoring information from the household monitoring object to thereceiving object.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the household objectis at least one of a picture frame, a floor mat, a lamp, and a householdappliance.
 13. The kit of claim 11, wherein transmitting comprisesone-way paging.
 14. The kit of claim 11, wherein the monitoringinformation comprises information regarding the cessation of activity.15. The kit of claim 11, wherein processing comprises determining ifsensor inputs were obtained within a predetermined time interval. 16.The kit of claim 11, wherein processing comprises comparing sensorinputs against the map of standard activity relating timing of eventswith either a clock or a calendar expectation.
 17. The kit of claim 11,further comprising, a programming interface of the household monitoringobject to program the monitoring object with the map of standardactivities to facilitate processing.
 18. The kit of claim 11, furthercomprising, a calibration interface of the household monitoring objectto obtain a sample of ambient signals in the monitored individual'senvironment for establishing the map of standard activity to facilitateprocessing.
 19. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a switchassociated with the sensor for setting an amount of time within whichthe sensor must sense an activity.
 20. The kit of claim 11, wherein themonitoring object and receiving object automatically establish aconnection once powered.